This contest is now closed. We will be announcing our winners shortly.
I feel so privileged to have the opportunity to take part in a blog tour that supports Barbara Cline and her fantastic new book, Simply Triangles. Barbara has really done it again! I enjoyed her first book, Star Struck Quilts, which focused on the eight-pointed Lone Star with numerous attractive variations. She continues her exploration of geometric designs using triangles in another well-written and well-illustrated book, Simply Triangles from C&T Publishing. As the subtitle suggests, the author provides projects using triangles to make stars, daisies (with some clever machine appliqué), and tessellating pinwheels.
Simply Triangles has many valuable quilt book features. Basic quilting supplies are sufficient for the projects using the provided templates, or two specialty tools that many quilters already own. Detailed instructions for increasingly complex projects include: hints for fabric selection, color value placement, marking, pinning, piecing and pressing. Especially helpful are step-by-step photographs and illustrations for the often dreaded Y-seam and mitered corners. Quilting design suggestions for each project include close-up shots of the author’s lovely quilting in finished quilts.
The designs in the book appeal to me because I enjoy quilts with interlocking and tessellating designs, and fussy-cutting to achieve a kaleidoscope effect. I was inspired to make the first pattern in the book, Stacking Birds, using Connecting Threads' All Hallow’s Bash collection. The fabrics used for the stars were:
The backing fabric was a the purple print in All Hallows Bash called Witch's Brew, with Quilter's Candy 3897 Mirage Carrot for Border 1 and 3908 Solid Black for the binding.
I followed the directions to layer five repeats of fabric and pin through the exact spots in all five layers. After cutting triangles with a 60° ruler (the book also provides a template), I placed them on my design wall. It was fun to see the repeated designs emerge in a ring formation.
Thanks to the excellent piecing and pressing instructions, the quilt top sewed together well. I was pleased with the finished result!
Another enjoyable aspect of Simply Triangles is Barbara Cline’s emphasis on the way quilting binds her family and other quilters into a caring and sharing community. She comes from five generations of quilters in a close-knit Mennonite family. Several female relatives share their thoughts on how quilting has influenced their lives in excerpts called “Life Lessons”. I even learned a new word, “sewcialize”. What a great word!
Barbara Cline’s Simply Triangles is an excellent addition to any quilter’s library as a skill-building resource and source of inspiration for future projects. I am eager to try her method of overlaying netting to add a three-dimensional effect. Although not a book for novice quilters, I would highly recommend this book to all quilters who want to expand their piecing skills, experiment with color values, and make fascinating quilts with a strong geometric statement.
Now for the really fun part. C&T Publishing has graciously offered to give one winner a copy of this inspiring book. To sweeten the pot a little bit, we are also giving away two stack samplers of our new, limited edition Fall 2012 Batiks.
To enter, simply leave us a comment below. We will select our winners on Monday, September 10th and announce them shortly thereafter.
Make sure to check out the other blogs participating in this fun book tour!
Sept 2 - Canton Village Quilt Works
Sept 3 - Polly the Patch Worker
Sept 4 - Cherry House Quilts
Sept 5 - Jan Krentz
Sept 6 - Connecting Threads
Sept 7 - Coleen Sr.xanga
Sept 8 - Quiltinggal Barbara H. Cline
Rules: One entry per person. No purchase necessary. Must be a resident of the US or Canada to win. This contest ends at 11:59pm on Sunday, September 9th. You must provide a valid email address so that we can contact you if you win. Any comments on blogs other than this one will not enter you in the giveaway -- comments must be on this post.
149 responses to “Simply Triangles: A Blog Tour and Giveaway!” (Showing 50 Most Recent)
Comments now closed
Sep 10, 2012 at 5:55 AM That book looks WAY above my skill level, but very inspiring. Love the kaleidoscope effect!
Sep 9, 2012 at 7:33 PM I would love to have a Batik collection and that book looks like it has some wonderful quilts in it. Gayle
Sep 9, 2012 at 4:04 PM Love the fabric. Thanks for a chance to win.
Sep 9, 2012 at 11:16 AM Wow gorgeous! I would love to win this book and fabric!
Sep 9, 2012 at 5:58 AM Gorgeous! I'm inspired!
Sep 9, 2012 at 5:28 AM Gorgeous! Thanks for the chance to win.
Sep 8, 2012 at 8:22 PM I have really been wanting to try that technique out. Thanks for the great giveaways!
Sep 8, 2012 at 8:05 PM I would love to win a copy of this book since I love equilateral triangles and stars.
Your Halloween quilt is such a delightful surprise!
Sep 8, 2012 at 7:02 PM I love the cover quilt and your quilt looks great. I wish I could machine quilt like that!
Sep 8, 2012 at 6:09 PM I love that design! thanks!
Sep 8, 2012 at 5:58 PM I would love to win Barbara Clines new Simlpy Triangle quilt book, I know it will have some excellent patterns.I have her other book and it has great patterns,plus I have taken a couple of classes with her, and they were great. Barbara is a great person,teacher,and quilter,and she works hard to make her book interesting, and great patterns to follow.If I win her new book,I will be excited,and ready to try her new book Simply Triangles.Thank you for giving me a chance to win.
Sep 8, 2012 at 3:06 PM Thank you for the great giveaway!
Sep 8, 2012 at 1:22 PM Love the quilting shown! And the Halloween quilt is fabulous!
Sep 8, 2012 at 12:06 PM A fellow blogger mentioned this blog tour so I came to visit. I love your halloween quilt. And the autumn batiks are beautiful.
Sep 8, 2012 at 11:48 AM Would love to win the stacks of Batiks. Would like to try expanding my skills. What a better way than with this new book Simply Triangles" and Fabric! Thanks for the offer!
Sep 8, 2012 at 8:09 AM I would love to add this book to my quilt library. The fabrics are fantastic and I would love to add them to my stash. Thank you for the opportunity to win these great prizes.
Sep 8, 2012 at 8:00 AM The book looks great. Love that Halloween wall hanging and would love to try something similar.
Sep 8, 2012 at 7:56 AM This book looks AWESOME!
Sep 8, 2012 at 7:24 AM I love the fall batiks and would love this book. I absolutely love what the lady did with the Halloween quilt. That is AWESOME.
Sep 8, 2012 at 6:52 AM I love your choice of fabrics and the way they play together. This looks like a fun book.
Sep 8, 2012 at 5:34 AM Would love to add this book to my quilt collection, and the quilt is very cute!
Sep 8, 2012 at 4:15 AM The Halloween quilt is very cute. I think Stacking Birds would be great done in Christmas fabric.
Sep 7, 2012 at 11:54 PM Pick me Pick me this looks like a great book and fabric to sweeten the deal perfect.
Sep 7, 2012 at 9:31 PM I have Barbara's other book and love her creations- very inspiring. Thanks for the chance to win such lovely fabric and her book.
Regards from Western Canada,
Anna
Sep 7, 2012 at 9:24 PM Looks like fun. Do I hear another quilt calling or book? Love the batiks.
Sep 7, 2012 at 9:17 PM What a really great give-a-way, I hope to win then the fun will begin. Thanks
Sep 7, 2012 at 7:59 PM Thanks for a chance to win, fabric is an added bonus. Book really looks nice.
Sep 7, 2012 at 7:33 PM Fun stuff!!
Sep 7, 2012 at 6:13 PM Looks fun! Thanks for the chance to win.
Sep 7, 2012 at 5:35 PM I need a new learning experience!
Sep 7, 2012 at 5:34 PM I would love this book for my quilt library, and the fabrics for my stash! Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Sep 7, 2012 at 5:11 PM I would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance.
Sep 7, 2012 at 5:10 PM What a great book to win. Thanks for the giveaway.
Sep 7, 2012 at 4:53 PM Would love a copy of this book to help overcome my fear of triangles!
Sep 7, 2012 at 4:51 PM I l?ve this book and would certainly l?ve to win it! Thanks to Connecting Threads, my favorite place to shop for my quilting supplies, for the opportunity to win!
Sep 7, 2012 at 4:24 PM I love the designs in this book. I will definitely buy the book if I don't win! Thanks for the chance.
Sep 7, 2012 at 4:18 PM That looks like such an interesting book, would love to win it. Thanks!
Sep 7, 2012 at 4:13 PM The book looks very intersting.
Sep 7, 2012 at 3:12 PM I think I'm ready for the challenge of the gorgeous quilts in the book. Love the batiks!
Sep 7, 2012 at 2:57 PM Oh, that looks like a fun book.
Sep 7, 2012 at 2:46 PM This book looks like a challenge, and I LOVE challenges!
Sep 7, 2012 at 2:41 PM Looks like a fun book! And the new batiks are gorgeous. Would make a great quilt
Sep 7, 2012 at 2:24 PM What a great selection of fabrics to use on these triangles. With this book you could really churn out some wonderful quilts.
Sep 7, 2012 at 2:17 PM Oh how I would love to win those beautiful batiks! I sure could make good use of them. They would make a beautiful quilt.
Sep 7, 2012 at 1:46 PM Thank you for a great giveaway, with that book and the batik fabric wonderful things could happen, yours turned out beautiful.
Sep 7, 2012 at 1:44 PM The batiks are gorgeous and I love the colors used for the triangles!
Sep 7, 2012 at 1:41 PM I just love all the new batiks! What a fun way to use them by trying the techniques in her book.
I will be sew happy to win!
Thanks!
Sep 7, 2012 at 1:39 PM Beautiful design, thank you for a chance to win.
Sep 7, 2012 at 1:34 PM thank you for your wonderful give away!
Sep 7, 2012 at 1:32 PM Love that pattern, and fabrics!